Dental bridge



M. c. LAsKY DENTALVBRIDGE Filed Feb. 19. 1940 INVENTOR. #6779 C zoay, WW ATTORNEY.

i aiented Mar. 16, 1943 iJlT'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

My invention relates generally to dental bridges, and more particularly to such bridges which are fixed in position so that the wearer is unable to remove them, but which may be removed by the dentist for cleaning or other purposes.

While many forms of dental bridges have been known and used in the past for the anchoring of an artificial tooth to two abutting natural teeth, such forms have been subject to a number of objections. Many bridges have been unsightly and conspicuous, and while some forms have been developed which escape these criticisms, most of them are expensive to make and install. Again, when bridges have been designed so that they may not be removed by the wearer, it has usually been difficult for the dentist to remove them for cleaning and other purposes.

It is, therefore, a major object of myinvention to provide a dental bridge which is free from these objections.

It is another object of my invention to provide such a bridge which may beeasily mounted in position and secured in place, either rigidly to the supporting teeth or slightly movable with respect thereto, to permit the natural movement of the teeth in action.

It is also an object of my invention to'provide such a bridge which has a simple and positive locking means which cannot irritate the tongue, checks, or gum, and which is normally not noticed by the casual observer.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description ofpreferred and modified forms thereof, and from the accompanying drawing, illustrating those forms, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showingthe method of installing my preferred form of bridge between two natural teeth,

Fig. 2' is a horizontal sectional view taken at 2-2 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a top plan view partly in section taken at 3-3 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4a is a perspective exploded view of the locking members of my preferred form of bridge,

and

Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the members of a modified form of bridge.

M and Ma attached to the natural teeth I and I2, respectively. The socket members M and Ma are preferably embedded in the sides of the natural teeth II and I2, abutting the artificial tooth ID in such a manner that the natural contours of the teeth II and I2 are preystalled. One suitable method of accomplishing this purpose is by embedding and soldering the socket members l4 and Ma. in inlays l5 and Ha extending up the sides and across the top of the teeth. By restricting the inlays to the central portion of the teeth, their presence willnot be obvious, and at the same time, it will not be necessary to cut the teeth to apoint where the pulp must bekilled and only'the de-vitalized stump left. This preferred method of making inlays is well-known in the profession, and forms no part of my invention, being given only as an illustration of one satisfactory method which may be used to anchor the socket members I l and Ma.

The plug members l3 and I3a extending from the opposite sides of the artificial tooth lllare shown in my preferred form as having the shape of a horizontally-disposed T, though as will be-' come apparent, any other suitable shape may be used which has a shank portion extending from the side of the tooth l0 and which has an enlarged outer end or head portion. The plug member I3 extends downwardly from the occlusal surface of the tooth ID to a point preferably near the free margin of the gum. The exact location and extent of the plug member I3 is not critical, but it will be apparent that the greater its vertical dimension, the more firmly the tooth will be held As shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4, I prefer to make, the plug member l3 in the form of a hollow shell, for in this way the bonding material in the artificial tooth l0 may flow into the central portion of the plug member l3 and thus provide a better bond between the plug member and the tooth. However, if desired, the plug member may be solid, and any other suitable bonding means used to hold the member firmly in the tooth Ill.

The socket members l4 and Ma are shaped complementally to the plug members l3 and I3a, and in the preferred form shown, are substantially rectangular in cross section with a vertical slot [1 in the outer side to receive the shank of the plug member l3. The other sides of the socket member l4, wholly surrounded by the inlay l5, fit closely to the plug member l3, yet

have a loose enough fit so that the plug member may be inserted or removed without diificulty. Both the plug member I3 and the socket member I4 are preferably formed of a relatively strong metal which is unafiected by acids, etc. normally found in the mouth.

The innermost wall of the socket member I4 (the left wall in Fig. 4) is provided with a vertical recess I8, extending from the top thereof to the bottom. The major portion of the recess I8 is relatively narrow and stem-like, but at the bottom a horizontal enlargement of the recess is provided which preferably extends to the sides of the socket member and provides a horizontal shoulder. In my preferred form, as shown in Fig. 4, this enlarged recess takes the form of an inverted T, but as will be apparent, other forms may be used as desired. The recess I8 is comparatively shallow, and is designed to receive a locking member I9 which is complementally shaped and of a thickness such that when it is placed within the recess, the innermost face of the recess and the locking member present a relatively flat surface to the plug member I3. It will thus be seen that the lower part of the locking member I9, which in the preferred form comprises the T-bar I9a fits under the horizontal shoulder I8a of the socket and is held thereby against vertical movement.

The stem of the locking member I9 is somewhat longer than that of the recess I 8, and hence, when the locking member is positioned in the recess I 8, a portion 20 extends above the socket member I4 and the plug member I3. This'portion 20 is designed to be bent over the plug member I3 to hold the latter in place, the bend being made at a point indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 4. To provide a relatively smooth surface along the top of the plug member I3 when this is done, I provide a notch I6 in the outer edge of the upper end of the outer wall of the plug member, and then when the central portion of the latter is filled with bonding material, provide a groove extending from the notch toward the tooth I0. In this way, a recessed portion is provided to receive the upper portion 20 of the locking member I9, and thus there are no cavities or projections where particles of food may lodge and decay.

In use, assuming that an artificial tooth III has been provided with'plug members I3 and I3a and the adjacent natural teeth II and I2 have been provided with properly-positioned socket members I4 and Ma, respectively, a locking member I9 is inserted into the recess I8, the bottom of each plug member is inserted in the top of its corresponding socket member, and the entire tooth ID with its associated plug members is slid downwardly into place. If the upper portion 20 of the locking member I9 is then bent over the plug member I3, and into the notch I and the groove associated therewith, the plug member will be held against vertical movement, and will in turn prevent horizontal and vertical 'movement of the locking member.

Since the recess I8, because of its shape and the provision of the shoulder I8a, holds the locking member I9 against vertical movement when the latter is within the recess, to remove the locking member, it is necessary to move it from the recess into the space normally occupied by the plug member I3, and then lift it out of the socket member It. 'If the plug'member- I3 is in the socket member I4, it is obviously impossible to move the locking member I9 out of the recess I8. Thus it is seen that the plug member I3 holds the locking member I9 within the recess I8, the recess holds the locking member against vertical movement, and when the portion 20 is bent over the plug member, the locking member holds the plug member against vertical movement.

To remove the tooth III for cleaning or other purposes, it is necessary only to straighten the upper portion 20 of the locking member I9 and then lift the tooth IIl vertically out of its normal position. It will now be apparent that if a tight fit is provided between the plug member I3 and the socket member I4, an absolutely rigid mount for the tooth III may be provided, but since this is normally not desirable, I prefer to make the fit slightly looser, and thus permit the normal movement'of the natural teeth in their peridental membranes.

If desired, one side of the enlarged head portion of the plug member I3 may be made straight so that the plug member has an L-shape instead of a T-shape, with the socket member I 4 having a similar shape. The operation and installation of the members in this case is the same and the results are similar to those of my preferred form. In Fig. 5, I have shown another modification in which the plug member I3 has both sides flat and has a downwardly-extending enlarged end portion. The socket member I4 is suitably shaped and has a wall portion 25 across the bottom to engage and hold the enlarged head portion of the plug member I3. Other forms of plug and socket members may be used as desired, the important point being that the plug member 13 should'have a shank with an enlarged head portion, and the socket member I4 should be complementally shaped.

Throughout this specification, it has been as sumed that the artificial tooth III is located in the lower jaw, but it will be apparent that the same methods and devices may be used for a tooth located in the upper jaw. While I have shown and described preferred and modified forms of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the particular forms or arrangements of parts herein described and shown, or particularly covered by my claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Dental bridge'means of the class described which includes: a plug member adapted to extend outwardly from the side of an artificial tooth, and having an outwardly-extending shank and an enlarged head thereon; a socket member adapted to be attached to the side of a natural tooth and adapted to receive the enlarged head of said plug member, said socket member having a slot along one side to receive the shank portion of said plug member and a recess in the opposite side, said recess having an enlarged end portion and a stem portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to said slot; and a flat and relatively thin locking member having an enlarged head and a stem portion adapted to fit in said recess and be held against longitudinal movement thereby, and adapted to be held against horizontal movement by said plug member, the stemof said locking member extending beyond said socket and plug members and adapted to be bent over said plug member to hold the latter against movement.

2. A dental bridge of the class described which includes: a plug member extending outwardly from the side of an artificial tooth and consisting of a shank portion and an enlarged head,

both extending a substantial vertical distance along the side of said artificial tooth; a socket member attached to the side of a natural tooth, and adapted to receive the enlarged head of said plug member, said socket member having side and bottom members with an open top and a slot in one side to receive the shank of said plug member, and being provided with a recess in the side opposite said slot, said recess having an enlarged portion near the bottom of said socket member with a stem portion extending upwardly; and a locking member having a shape corresponding to said recess and adapted to fit therein, and hold said plug member in said socket member.

3. A dental bridge of the class described which includes: a plug member extending outwardly from the side of an artificial tooth and consisting of a shank portion and an enlarged head, both extending a substantial vertical distance along the side of said artificial tooth; a socket member attached to the side of a natural tooth, and adapted to receive the enlarged head of said plug member, said socket member having side and bottom members with an open top and a slot in one side to receive the shank of said plug member, and being provided with a recess in the side opposite said slot, said recess having an enlarged portion near the bottom of said socket member with a stem portion extending upwardly; and a locking member having a shape corresponding to said recess and adapted to fit therein, said locking member extending above said plug member and being adapted to bend over the same to hold it in said socket member.

4. Dental bridge means of the class described which includes: a plug member adapted to extend outwardly from the side of an artificial tooth and having an outwardly-extending shank with an enlarged head thereon; a socket member adapted to be attached to the side of a natural tooth and adapted to receive the enlarged head of said plug member, said socket member having a slot along one side to receive the shank portion of said plug member and a recess in another side having an enlarged end portion; and a fiat relatively thin locking member having a head portion and a stem portion adapted to fit in said recess and 'be held against longitudinal movement thereby, and adapted to be held against horizontal movement by said plug member when in place, I

the stem of said locking member extending beyond said socket and plug members and adapted to be bent over said plug member to hold it against longitudinal movement.

5. Dental bridge means of the class described which includes: a plug member adapted to extend outwardly from the side of an artificial tooth and having an outwardly-extending shank with an enlarged head thereon; a socket member adapted to be attached to the side of a natural tooth and adapted to receive the enlarged head of said plug member, said socket member having a slot along one side to receive the shank portion of said plug member and a recess in another side having an enlarged end portion; and a flat relatively thin locking member having a head portion and a stem portion adapted to fit in said recess and be held against longitudinal movement thereby, and adapted to be held against horizontal movement by said plug member when in place, and to hold said plug against longitudinal movement.

6. Dental bridge means of the class described which includes: a plug member adapted to extend outwardly from the side of an artificial tooth and having an outwardly-extending shank with an enlarged head thereon; a socket member adapted to be attached to the side of a natural tooth and adapted to receive the enlarged head of said plug member, said socket member having a slot along one side to receive the shank portion of said plug member and a recess in another side having an enlarged end portion; and a locking member having a head portion and a stem portion adapted to fit in said recess and be held against longitudinal movement thereby, and adapted to be held against horizontal movement by said plug member when in place, and to hold said plug against longitudinal movement.

7. Dental bridge means of the class described which includes: a plug member adapted to be attached to the side of an artificial tooth; a socket member adapted to be attached to the side of a natural tooth and to receive said plug member and hold it against lateral movement, said socket member being provided with an internal shoulder; and a locking member having a portion adapted to be held under said shoulder and against lateral movement by said plug member when the latter is in said socket, and another portion spaced from said first portion and adapted to engage said plug member and lock it against longitudinal movement.

8. Dental bridge means of the class described which includes: a plug member adapted to be attached to the side of an artificial tooth; a socket member adapted to be attached to the side of a natural tooth and to receive said plug member and hold it against lateral movement, said socket member being provided with an internal shoulder; and a locking member having a lower portion adapted to be held under said shoulder and against lateral movement by said plug member when the latter is in said socket, and an upper portion adapted to extend above said plug member and lock it against longitudinal movement.

9. Dental bridge means of the class described which includes: a plug member adapted to be attached to the side of an artificial tooth; a socket member adapted to be attached to the side of a natural tooth and to receive said plug member and hold it against lateral movement, said socket member being provided with an internal shoulder; and a relatively thin fiat locking member having a lower head portion adapted to be held under said shoulder and against lateral movement by said plug member when the latter is in said socket, and an upper portion adapted to extend above said plug member and be bent over the upper face thereof to lock the same against longitudinal movement.

' 'MERVYN C. LASKY. 

